Translation guide
The concept of motion that continues indefinitely without an external energy source. In Japanese, this is primarily a scientific or technical term, often used in the context of 'perpetual motion machines'.
To refer to the physical concept of perpetual motion, especially in the context of physics or impossible machines.
To describe something that seems to continue endlessly, like non-stop activity or an unstoppable process.
Means 'does not know how to stop', used figuratively for ceaseless motion or activity. Natural in everyday language.
Directly translating 'perpetual motion' as 永久の動き (eikyū no ugoki) is not idiomatic. Use 永久運動 for the scientific concept or figurative phrases for metaphorical use.
The standard scientific term for perpetual motion. Used in physics and engineering contexts.
Perpetual motion violates the laws of physics.
Literally 'perpetual mechanism', this is the common term for a perpetual motion machine. Often used when discussing the impossibility of such devices.
It is impossible to build a perpetual motion machine.
His curiosity is like perpetual motion.
Literally 'incessant movement', this phrase captures the idea of continuous motion without pause. Slightly more literary.
I got tired of the perpetual motion of the city.
A direct translation meaning 'to continue moving eternally'. Can sound unnatural if used outside poetic or emphatic contexts.
Avoid using this as a direct translation in casual speech; it may sound overly dramatic or literal.
This sculpture looks like it is in perpetual motion.